Sidekicks (1993)

14% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
48% of users liked it
(6,855 ratings)

A teenager daydreams of getting some payback from the bullies who menace him in this hybrid of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) and The Karate Kid (1984). Barry Gabrewski (Jonathan Brandis) is an asthmatic schoolboy who can't participate in sports, much to the delight of a bullying classmate… More A teenager daydreams of getting some payback from the bullies who menace him in this hybrid of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) and The Karate Kid (1984). Barry Gabrewski (Jonathan Brandis) is an asthmatic schoolboy who can't participate in sports, much to the delight of a bullying classmate (John Buchanan) and his sadistic gym teacher (Richard Moll). Miserably unhappy, Barry escapes into a world of fantasy, where he imagines himself the tough, karate-proficient sidekick of action movie hero Chuck Norris. Trying to turn his dreams into reality, Barry visits dojo master Kelly Stone (Joe Piscopo), but Stone only mocks his aspirations. A supportive teacher introduces Barry to her uncle, Mr. Lee (Mako), a cook and martial arts teacher who takes Barry under his wing and teaches him the secrets of karate prowess. When Barry becomes good enough to enter a tournament, he needs a fourth athlete to complete his team, and who should be in the stands making a publicity appearance but the real-life Norris, who steps in to fight side-by-side with the plucky teen. Sidekicks was directed by Norris's brother and frequent collaborator Aaron Norris. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Aaron Norris
Written By: Lou Illar, Galen Thompson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 9, 1993 Limited
On DVD: Sep 29, 1993
Studio: Triumph Releasing

Critic Reviews

Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Modest little treat.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Don't remember much about this one other than it has Chuck Norris in it and I didn't like it much.
Dean M

Chuck Norris is essentially a guest star in this film where he plays himself both in real-life and the high adventure daydreams of Jonathan Brandis. A sort of martial arts story with some great choreography and a very funny script working with a great cast.
danny d

good kids flick with chuck norris kicking stuff

Cast

            Chuck Norris as Himself

            Jonathan Brandis as Barry Gabrewski

            Beau Bridges as Jerry Gabrewski

            Mako as Mr. Lee

            Julia Nickson as Noreen Chen

            Joe Piscopo as Stone

            Danica McKellar as Lauren

            John Buchanan as Randy Cellini

            Richard Moll as Horn

            Annette Benson
            
            Dennis Burkley as Hank

            Gerrit Graham as Mapes

            Henry Holmes as Referee

            Dennis Letts as Man with Dog

            Eric Norris as Biker #5

            Robert Wall as Himself

            Don Pike as Cowboy #2

            David Saunders as Biker #3

            Bert Dedman as Boy in Wheelchair

            Wally Rose as Bartender

            Penny Perry Davis
            
            David Born as Businessman

            Gary Pike as Cowboy #1

            Mark Stevens as Announcer

            Julia Nickson-Soul
            
See full cast